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MAT 110 - Digital Imaging 1: Adobe Photoshop

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Class Schedule

Week 1 (8/18 + 8/20)

Topics + Learning Objectives

  • Introduction to the class
  • Introduction to digital imaging and Photoshop
  • What does it mean to go digital?
  • What's a pixel?
  • The Photoshop interface: tools, panels, and menus
  • Customizing your workspace
  • The breadth and depth of Photoshop: How many ways to zoom?

LINKS + Resources

Sample Files

Index of Video Tutorials

PBS Off Book Video

Adobe Photoshop - Inspirational Ads

Photoshop is now over 30 years old. Here's a look back.

The Software

Adobe Photoshop Resources

Books

  • Digital Artistry and Special Effects with Photoshop by Jill Malone. Digital version available free through our Canvas course website.
  • Visual Alchemy: The Fine Art of Digital Montage by Catherine McIntyre. Digital version available for free through Safari Books Online.
  • The Photoshop Workbook: Professional Retouching and Compositing Tips, Tricks, and Techniques by Glyn Dewis. Digital version available for free through Safari Books Online.

Featured Artist of the Week

Homework and Lab Tasks

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Week 2 (8/25 + 8/27)

Topics + Learning Objectives

  • Image Size, Canvas Size, and Resolution
  • Cropping, Sizing, and Straightening Imagery
  • The Photoshop Toolbox (continued)
  • Image and Tonal Range Adjustments
  • Understanding the Histogram
  • Levels, Curves, Brightness and Contrast
  • Image Transformations: Scale, Rotation, Distortion
  • Dodging and Burning
  • Shadow/Highlight Adjustments
  • Adjustment Layers and Smart Objects for Non-Destructive Editing

LINKS & Resources

Index of Video Tutorials

Adobe Photoshop Resources

Sample Files

Featured Artist(s) of the Week

Exercise #1: Tonal Range Collage (DUE 9/3)

Create a photo-collage containing six to eight versions of one image, varying the tonal range of each version. Begin by finding a black and white photo or using one of the sample photos provided in class (you can convert a color photo to B&W using IMAGE > MODE > GRAYSCALE). Copy the photo into (at least) six layers. Adjust and manipulate the tonal range of the photo to create six different versions. Explore the image adjustment capabilites in Photoshop (including IMAGE > ADJUSTMENTS > LEVELS and IMAGE > ADJUSTMENTS > CURVES).

You should at least include: 1) the original image, 2) the image with a corrected tonal range, 3) a high-contrast version, 4) a low-contrast version, 5) a posterized or threshold version, 6) a version wherein you creatively manipulate the curves.

Resize or "transform the scale" of each image so that all six will fit onto a single canvas no larger than 1920 x 1080 at 72 ppi. In other words, at least six versions of one image should be collaged together into one image (like in this example).

Finally, save the file, name it with your FirstLastName + -e1 + .psd (ie "karlcleveland-e1.psd"). Then, create a .jpg version of this file (using File > Export > Export As and choosing "JPG" as the Format and 80% as the Quality setting. Submit these files via Canvas as per the Assignment Submission Guidelines.

Homework and Lab Tasks

Week 3 (9/3)

NO class on Monday, 9/1 for labor day

Topics + Learning Objectives (9/3)

  • Image and Tonal Range Adjustments (continued)
  • Image Transformations: Scale, Rotation, Distortion
  • Photo Retouching and Repair Techniques
  • The Clone Stamp Tool
  • Healing Brushes
  • The Patch Tool
  • Painting and Drawing in Photoshop
  • Raster vs. Vector graphics
  • Layer Basics
  • Working with Brushes
  • Editing and Customizing Brushes
  • Working with Color

LINKS + Resources

Sample Files

Index of Video Tutorials

Adobe Photoshop Resources

Free Photoshop Brushes

Tutoring + Support

Featured Artist of the Week

Exercise #2: Digital Painting (Due 9/15)

Exploring the topics listed above and demonstrated in class, use Photoshop to create a simple digital painting. Your painting can be abstract or representational. Explore the brush tools and customizing brushes, working with colors, working with layers, and the other tools/techniques demonstrated in class. Use the type tool to add your name to the bottom right corner of the painting. The dimensions of your digital creation should be set to 1600 x 900 at 200 ppi. Save the exercise as a Photoshop (.psd) file and name it with your name+-e2+ .psd (ie "karlcleveland-e2.psd"). Then, create a .jpg version of this file (using File > Export > Export As and choosing "JPG" as the Format and 80% as the Quality setting. Submit these files via Canvas as per the Assignment Submission Guidelines.

  1. Sample of a digital painting (representational)
  2. Sample of a digital painting (abstract)

Homework and Lab Tasks

Week 4 (9/8 + 9/10)

Topics + Learning Objectives

  • Painting and Drawing in Photoshop (continued)
  • Photo Retouching and Repair Techniques
  • The Clone Stamp Tool
  • Healing Brushes
  • The Patch Tool
  • Red Eye Removal and Color Replacement
  • Content Aware Fill and Move
  • Applying Retouching Techniques to Project #1

LINKS + Resources

Sample Files

Index of Video Tutorials

Tutoring + Support

Quiz on 9/15

Adobe Photoshop Resources

On Color

Featured Artist of the Week

Homework and Lab Tasks

Week 5 (9/15 + 9/17)

Topics + Learning Objectives

  • Applying Retouching Techniques to Project #1
  • Content Aware Fill and Move
  • Red Eye Removal and Color Replacement
  • Understanding Color
  • RGB vs. CMYK
  • Additive vs. Subtractive Color
  • Correcting and Manipulating Color
  • Color Balance and Hue/Saturation
  • Removing Color Casts
  • Photo Filters
  • Colorization Techniques
  • Blending Modes and Colorization
  • More Layer Basics
  • Adjustment Layers

LINKS + Resources

Sample Files

Quiz on 9/15

Project Guidelines

Index of Video Tutorials

Tutoring + Support

Adobe Photoshop Resources

Featured Artist of the Week

Homework and Lab Tasks

Week 6 (9/22 + 9/24)

Topics + Learning Objectives

  • Working with Selections
  • Adjusting Selections
  • Feathering Selections
  • Saving and Loading Selections
  • Refining Selection Edges (Refine Edge)
  • Quick Mask Mode and Painting Selections